Illegal mining practices cause deaths at Albino mine

Illegal mining activity at Crystallex International’s (VSE) Albino gold mine in Venezuela caused the collapse of a wall in the Conductora pit.

At least three miners died as a result.

Crystallex expects a delay of one to two weeks before mining resumes. A government review team has cleared the company of any liability concerning the accident.

In the meantime, stockpiled ore continues to be processed while underground work focuses on stripping the upper part of the Conductora zone along strike from the existing pit. Pre-stripping of the Aguao 2 deposit, which contains proven reserves of 57,298 tonnes grading 5.33 grams gold per tonne, is also ongoing.

Total reserves of 582,738 tonnes averaging 6.33 grams are outlined, and a 4,000-metre drilling program is attempting to delineate reserves further.

In May, Crystallex produced 2,630 oz. at a milling rate of 254 tonnes per day, compared with 2,782 oz. at 209 tonnes per day in April. The carbon-in-pulp plant has a daily capacity of 363 tonnes.

.A

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